NONREFUNDABLE DEPOSITS?

[Jon Page]

On deposits for contracted repair work, I collect one third deposit before 
ordering parts,
enough to cover the cost of the retail price of the parts parts.  This way, 
the customer has
paid for the parts and my time to evaluate the job.  In the event of a 
cancellation, I would simply
give them the parts and leave it at that.  If the parts can be used readily 
on another piano, I might
reimburse a portion and keep a 'processing fee' (time involved).

This is one reason for not offering the parts at cost or cost +10%. Because 
you need to recoup
your time involved in the event of a change of heart.

I have never had this happen, what are the circumstances for your query?

Regards,

Jon Page

At 11:23 PM 01/16/2001 -0800, you wrote:
>David,
>
>For the last 16 tears, each of my restoration contracts states
>"non-refundable" deposit. The reason is that my attorney said unless this is
>so stated in our contract, the party contracting the work can legally ask
>for the deposit to be returned and if so, I must return it. You can guess
>why I asked my attorney that question lo those many years ago. Fortunately
>she cancelled before I ordered the replacement parts.
>
>Funny aside, when she cancelled the contract, via my answer machine,  I
>specified that she had to do so in writing, via her answer machine. Took her
>over a year to send me the letter and I collected interest on her money for
>that time.
>
>Since then, she has gone through six other techs that I know of; none will
>work for her for very long. I'm still so grateful she cancelled. :-)
>
>Gina
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "David Skolnik" <skolnik@attglobal.net>
>To: <pianotech@ptg.org>; <caut@ptg.org>
>Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2001 7:48 PM
>Subject: NONREFUNDABLE DEPOSITS?
>
>
> > I need some perspective. In the retail piano business, how common is the
> > practice of  extracting non-refundable deposits from customers?  Many
> > replies, either yea or nay, would be most illuminating.
> > Thanks.
> >
> > David Skolnik
> >